Effect of the dried residues of two hand gels on the survival of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii

We assessed the ability of the residues of an alcohol-based hand gel (hand gel A) and an Aloe vera-based CuAL42 copper biocide-containing hand gel (hand gel B), to support the survival of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii (ACCB). One-millilitre samples of hand gels A and B were spread over marked 20 cm2 areas and dried overnight. MRSA or ACCB (1 × 104 CFU) were spread onto the dried residue and contact plated at various times. MRSA and ACCB survived for 8 hours on hand gel A residue, whilst MRSA did not survive on hand gel B residue and ACCB survived less than 30 min. Low concentrations of hand gel A facilitate the growth of ACCB, but this is not the case for hand gel B. Hand gel A is extensively used in UK hospitals and its residue left on high-touch surfaces may support the survival of bacteria that cause healthcare-acquired infections.